Storage case for a vacuum cleaner



March 29, 1955 HElNZE 2,704,855

STORAGE CASE FOR A VACUUM CLEANER Filed Nov. 28, 1951 l JNVEN TOR. FRED HEINZE United States Patent STORAGE CASE FOR A VACUUM CLEANER Fred Heinze, Rutherford, N. J.

Application November 28, 1951, Serial No. 258,635

11 Claims. (Cl. 15-257) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner.

More specifically, the present invention proposes the construction of a novel storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner characterized by a hollow body having an open top closed by a hollow lid and within which the vacuum cleaner can be positioned together with the base and all of the usual attachments in a manner to provide a single case for storing all of the cleaner parts and one which requires merely the opening of the hollow lid to render the vacuum cleaner usable for its intended purposes without having to be removed from the hollow body.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing the hollow body with spaced end walls arranged to snugly receive the vacuum cleaner with the ends of the cleaner bearing against the inner face of the end walls in a manner to hold the exhaust and intake ends of the cleaner against the inner faces of the end walls in alignment with ports formed in the end walls so that one port becomes the intake port and the other the exhaust port for air from the cleaner when it is being used.

Another object of the present invention proposes the provision of slidably mounted plates for normally closing the ports of the end walls when the cleaner is not being used in a manner to completely encase the cleaner and its parts in the closed position of the lid.

As a further object, the present invention proposes the arrangement of novel means operated by the lid for causing the slidably mounted plates to be moved clear of the exhaust port when the hollow lid is raised to render the storage case operative for use of the vacuum cleaner.

The present invention further proposes mounting elastic tapes or other means on the inner face of the hollow lid in a manner to permit the usual vacuum cleaner attachments to be supported within that hollow lid where they will be readily available for selection and use on the end of the hose of the vacuum cleaner.

A further object of the present invention proposes mounting casters on the bottom of the hollow body in a manner to make the storage case dirigible to facilitate its movement over the floor when the vacuum cleaner is being used and to make it convenient to roll the storage case with the contained vacuum cleaner and parts into the bottom of a closet or the like when it is to be stored between uses.

It is further object of the present invention to construct a storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner which is simple and durable, which is effective for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawing forming a material part of the present disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a storage case, in its closed position, for a tank type vacuum cleaner, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1 with the hollow lid raised and showing the end of the hose extended from the end of the hollow body at the intake end of the vacuum cleaner.

2,704,855 Patented Mar. 29, 1955 Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2, but with the hose shown in position, within the hollow body.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the position of the parts when the hollow lid is in its closed position.

Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the slide plates, per se.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional perspective view of the top end of one of the operator rods.

The storage case, according to the present invention and as shown on the drawing is designed to house that type of tank type vacuum cleaner which has an elongated tubular casing 10 which houses the usual dust bag and motor operated fan, not shown, for creating a partial vacuum at the dust bag end of the casing to suck the dust laden air into the dust bag where the dust is removed and the cleaned air permitted to pass from the exhaust or motor end of the casing. The bottom of the casing 10 is provided with the usual rollers 11 one of which is shown in Fig. 6. Mounted on top of the casing 10 at the motor containing end thereof, there is a handle 12 positioned with relation to the center of gravity of the cleaner so that the casing will maintain a horizontal position when lifted by the handle. The usual flexible hose 14 is provided for connection at one end to the dust bag end of the casing 10 when the cleaner is used for normal cleaning purposes. The other end of the flexible hose 14 is provided with the usual metal extension 15 for having the attachments 16 connected thereto. Also provided, are the usual metallic extension tubes 17 for insertion between the free end of the hose 14 and the attachments 16, all as is generally known in the art of tank type vacuum cleaners. Further constructional details of the vacuum cleaner will not be given in this specification as they are generally known in the art and form no part of the present construction.

The storage case includes a hollow body 20 constructed of wood or the like to have a bottom wall 21, spaced end walls 23, a front wall 24 and a rear wall 25. The top of the hollow body 20 is open. Fixedly mounted on the bottom face of the hollow body 20, at the four corners of the bottom wall 21, there are four casters 26 of the swivel type. The casters make the storage case dirigible to roll on the floor surface when the vacuum cleaner is being used and facilitate rolling the storage case into the bottom of a closet or the like when the same is to be stored.

The interior of the hollow body 20 has a partition wall 27 fixedly mounted therein, see Fig. 3, and which is extended between the end walls 23. The partition wall 27 extends parallel to the walls 24 and but is located more closely adjacent the front wall 24 dividing the interior of the hollow body 20 into a large compartment 28 and a smaller compartment 29. The large compartment 28 is dimensioned to snugly receive the casing 10 of the vacuum cleaner. Thus, as best shown in Fig. 3, the ends of the vacuum cleaner bear against the inner faces of the end walls 23.

Normally, the hose is stored within the smaller compartment 29, as shown in Fig. 3. When the cleaner is to be used, the hose is removed from the small compartment 29 and connected with the intake end of the casing 10 through one of the end walls 23, as shown in Fig. 2 and as will become clear as their specification proceeds.

The open top of the hollow body 20 is arranged to be closed by a hollow lid 31. Along its rear side, the lid 31 is pivotally attached to the top edge of the rear wall 25 of the hollow body 20 by three spaced hinges 32 so that the lid can be pivoted between open and closed positions. The hinges 32 are of the type which limit pivoting of the lid to just slightly more than ninety degrees so that when the lid is in its open position it will be supported in a rearwardly inclined position, see Figs. 2 and 4. The lid 31 is arranged to be secured in a closed position by three spaced luggage fasteners 33 having parts thereof mounted on the front of the lid and the front wall 24 of the hollow body.

Positioned within the hollow lid 31, there are elongated elastic tapes 34 or the like, secured to the lid 31 at spaced points by rivets 35 so that the attachments 16 can be supported between those portions of the tapes 34 between the rivets 35, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, with the lid 31 in its rearwardly inclined position, as shown in Fig. 2, the attachments will all be plainly in view for selection and use on the end of the hose 14. The extension tubes 17 when not being used, are kept in the compartment 28on top of the casing of the cleaner, as shown in Fig. 3.

It is appreciated, that the interior of the hollow body 20 could be constructed without the partition wall 27. In which event, the casing 10 of the vacuum cleaner would occupy the full space between the front wall 24 and the rear wall 25 and the hose 14 would be stored within the hollow body 20 on top of the casing 10 along with the extension tubes 17.

Mounted on the outside of the lid 31 at the top there of, there is a handle 36. The handle 36 provides a convenient grip for lifting the entire storage case with the contained vacuum cleaner when the lid 31 is secured in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 1.

The end walls 23 against which the ends of the casing 10 of the vacuum cleaner bear, are of two-part construction consisting of an outer wall member 23 and an inwardly spaced inner wall member 23*. There are spaces 37 between the wall members 23 and 23 which are closed at their top ends by wall 38. The walls 23 are formed with ports aligned with the ends of the casing The construction is such that the port of the one end wall 23 becomes the intake port and the other the exhaust port depending upon how the vacuum cleaner is placed within the hollow body 20. The ports are characterized by aligned holes 39 formed in the wall members 23 and 23 concentric with the holes in ends of the casing 10. The ports of the end walls 23 are normally closed by slide plates 40 positioned within the spaces 37. The slide plates 40 are provided for closing the ports when the vacuum cleaner is notbeing used and the lid 31 is closed, so as to completely enclose the vacuum cleaner and prevent dust and dirt from entering the storage case through the ports.

The slide plates 40 are supported for vertical sliding movements by means of rails 41 which extend laterally from the vertical side edges of the slide plates. Stationarily mounted within the spaces 37 between the wall members 23 and 23 there are support blocks 42 which have wide bottom portion 42 as thick as the spaces 37 and narrower top portions 42 The arrangement of the portions 42 and 42 of the support blocks 42 is-such that the blocks have flush sides facing the inner faces of the wall members 23 and shoulders 43 facing the wall members 23 The narrow top portions 42 of the support blocks 42 above the shoulders 43 are cut out providing grooves 44 which are faced toward one another. The slide plates 40 are positioned in the cutouts of the top portions 42 and have their rails 41 slidably extended into the grooves 44 to be guided thereby for vertical sliding movements both up and down.

The support blocks 42 are mounted in the spaces 37 between the holes 39 which form the discharge port of the end wall 23. The top portions 42*, between the grooves-44, are formed with holes 45 aligned with the holes 39, so that when the slide plates 40 are raised, the air will have a clear passage through the holes 39 and 45. Normally, the slide plates 40 rest in lowered positions on the shoulders 43, as shown in Fig. 6, to close the ports of the end walls 23 so that no dust and dirt can enter the storage casing while the lid 31 of the storage case is closed.

Means is provided controlled by the lid 31 for moving the slide plates 40 clear of the ports of the end walls 23 when the lid 31 is pivoted to its open position. The moving means is characterized by vertical operator rods 46 positioned to one side of the support blocks 42 and which have their top end portions slidably extended through holes 47 formed in the walls 38. The bottom ends of the operator rods 46 are slidably extended into bearing blocks 48 fixedly mounted in the spaces 37 between the wall members 23 and 23*. Expansion springs 49 positioned within the bearing block 48 act against the bottom ends of the operator rods 46 urging the operator rods upward. Upward movement of the operator rods 46 under influence of the springs 49 is arrested by shoulders 50 formed on the operator rods to strike the bottom faces of the walls 38.

Extended laterally from the operator rods 46 below the shoulders 50, there are arms 51. The free end of the arms 51 are extended across the exposed faces of the slide plates 40 and secured thereto by pins 52. Thus, when the operator rods 46 are moved up and down, the slide plates 40 will be similarly moved with their rails 41 sliding in the grooves 44.

When the lid 31 is in the raised open position shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the operator rods 46 will be freed to be urged upward by the springs 49. The arms 51 will similarly be raised causing the slide plates 40 to be raised to the positions shown in Fig. 4 so that the ports will be clear to permit the air sucked in and exhausted by the casing 10 of the vacuum cleaner to pass through the ports. On the other hand, when the lid 31 is locked in its closed'position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the lid 31 will press downward on the extended top ends of the operator rods 46. That action will cause the operator rods 46 to be lowered against the action of the expansion springs 49 to in turn lower the arms 51 and the slide plates 40. In its lowered position, the slide plates 40 close the ports of the end walls 23.

The operator rods 46, as best shown in Fig. 8, are constructed to have bifurcated top ends providing spaced tines 46 and a centrally located upstanding lug between the base ends of the tines 46 A top member 61 for each of the operator rods 46 is fitted at its bottom end between the tines 46 and formed with a notch 62 at its bottom end for receiving the lug 60. Positioned between the tines 46* adjacent their top ends there are pins 63. The pins 63 between the tines 46 pass through vertically elongated slots 64 formed in the top members 61 above the notches 62.

When the operator rods 46 are in the raised position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the top members 61 can be lowered to the horizontal portions shown by the dot and dash lines 61' in Fig. 4, so that the lid 31 can be lowered with the slide plates 40 in their raised position so that the vacuum cleaner can be used with the lid 31 in its open or closed position as desired.

The holes 39 and 45 which form the ports of the end walls 23 are vertically elongated to align with the holes in the ends of the casings 10 of vacuum cleaners which are raised different amounts off the floor by the rollers 11. Also, those holes are sufficiently large to permit the end of the hose 14 to be connected and disconnected with the intake end of the casing 10 of the vacuum cleaner while the same is in position in the hollow body 20.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the present invention provides a novel storage container for a tank type vacuum cleaner within which the cleaner can be kept both while it is being used and while it is not being used. The storage container is mobile to have freedom of'movement over the floor surface while the vacuum cleaner is being used and to facilitate slipping 'the storage case into the bottom of a closet or the like when the vacuum cleaner is not being used.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent l. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body.

2. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottomof said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, and elastic tapes mounted within said hollow lid for retaining vacuum cleaner attachments in position in said lid.

3.'A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, and a partition wall 1 prising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, means locking said lid in a closed position, and a handle mounted on top of said lid.

5. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, said end walls having spaced inner and outer wall members, said ports comprising aligned holes formed in said wall members in alignment with the ends of the cleaner, support blocks mounted between said wall members and between said holes, said support blocks having holes aligned with said aligned holes, and means slidably supporting said slide plates on said support blocks.

6. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, said end walls having spaced inner and outer wall members, said ports comprising aligned holes formed in said wall members, support blocks mounted between said wall members and between said holes, said support blocks having holes aligned with said aligned holes, and means slidably supporting said slide plates on said support blocks, said slidable supporting means comprising rails extended laterally from the vertical side edges of said slide plates, said support blocks having grooves facing one another and into which said rails are slidably engaged.

7. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, said end walls having spaced inner and outer wall members, said ports comprising aligned holes formed in said wall members, support blocks mounted between said wall members and between said holes, said support blocks having holes aligned with said aligned holes, and means slidably supporting said slide plates on said support blocks, said slidable supporting means comprising rails extended laterally from the vertical side edges of said slide plates, said support blocks having grooves facing one another and into which said rails are slidably engaged, and shoulders on said support blocks upon which said slide plates rest in their lowered positions in which they close the ports of said end walls.

8. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, said end walls having spaced inner and outer wall members, said ports comprising aligned holes formed in said wall members, support blocks mounted between said wall members and between said holes, said support blocks having holes aligned with said aligned holes, and means slidably supporting said slide plates on said support blocks, said moving means controlled by said lid comprising slidably mounted vertical operator rods having their top ends projected from the top of said hollow body to be engaged by said lid when closed, resilient means urging said operator rods into raised positions when said lid is raised, and means interconnecting said operator rods and slide plates to move in unison.

9. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, said end walls having spaced inner and outer wall members, said ports comprising aligned holes formed in said wall members, support blocks mounted between said wall members and between said holes, said support blocks having holes aligned with said aligned holes, and means slidably supporting said slide plates on said support blocks, said moving means controlled by said lid comprising slidably mounted vertical operator rods having their top ends projected from the top of said hollow body to be engaged by said lid when closed, resilient means urging said operator rods into raised positions when said lid is raised, and means interconnecting said operator rods and slide plates to move in unison, and means restricting upward movement of said operator rods under the influence of said resilient means.

10. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, said end walls having spaced inner and outer wall members, said ports comprising aligned holes formed in said wall members, support blocks mounted between said wall members and between said holes, said support blocks having holes aligned with said aligned holes, and means slidably supporting said slide plates on said support blocks, said moving means controlled by said lid comprising slidably mounted vertical operator rods having their top ends projected from the top of said hollow body to be engaged by said lid when closed, resilient means urging said operator rods into raised positions when said lid is raised, and means interconnecting said operator rods and slide plates to move in unison, and means restricting upward movement of said operator rods under the influence of said resilient means, said interconnecting means comprising arms extended laterally from said operator rods, said arms having their free ends projected across the faces of said slide blocks and pins connecting the free end of said arm to said slide plates.

11. A storage case for a tank type vacuum cleaner, comprising a hollow body having an open top and spaced end walls, wheels on the bottom of said body, a hollow lid pivotally mounted on said hollow body for closing the open top thereof, said end walls having ports aligned with the ends of a cleaner, slide plates within said end walls normally closing said ports, and means controlled by said lid for automatically moving said slide plates clear of said ports when said lid is raised, so constructed and arranged that a cleaner can be used without being removed from said hollow body, said end walls having spaced inner and outer wall members, said ports comprising aligned holes formed in said wall members, support blocks mounted between said wall members and between said holes, said support blocks having holes aligned with said aligned holes, and means slidably supporting said slide plates on said support blocks, said moving means controlled by said lid comprising slidably mounted vertical operator rods having their top ends projected from the top of said hollow body to be engaged by said lid when closed, resilient means urging said operator rods into raised positions when said lid is raised, and means interconnecting said operator rods and slide plates to move in unison, said operator rods having separate top members mounted to be lowered in their raised positions so that said lid can be closed with said slide plates in their open positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 426,700 Althen Apr. 29, 1890 2,042,387 Cobb May 26, 1936 2,528,249 Serwin Oct. 31, 1950 2,544,405 Weir Mar. 6, 1951 

